Half to william cochean



H. OOOHRAN.

(ModelJ' SHOE.

No. 250,785. Patented Dec. 13,1881.

mm ass as x UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE COGHRAN, OF ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO WILLIAM GOOHRAN.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,785, dated December 13, 1881,

Application filed November 7, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE GOGHRAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Asbury Park, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bathing-shoes and it consists in two or more braces resting on and connected to the solo at or near the point of the heel, and having their upper ends carried forward and extended 1lp-' ward, so that they will he just in rear of the ankle-bones; and it consists, further, in other improvements, all of which will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure lis a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a rear elevation, of a lacing-shoe having my improvements attached thereto. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a shoe having a bellows or extensible tongue, and Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the same.

Bibs or supports for-bathing-shoes heretofore in use were placed at the heel and extended vertically upward, or they were placed on opposite sides of the shoe and were extended verticallyupward alongside of the counter to a point midway between the rear seam and the eyelets in front, and so that when the shoe is on the foot they will be about opposite to or just in rear of the ankle-bone.

In my device it will be seen that the ribs or supports have their lower ends placed near together at the heel, while their upper ends are made to diverge, and are carried forward along the sides of the shoe to a point where they will be opposite to or just in rear of the ankle-bone. The ribs or supports are bent or curved to adapt them to the shape of the foot. 5

a represents a shoe, and b b the ribs or supports. The ribs have their lower ends resting on the sole of the shoe. They may, if desired, be made fast to it; but I prefer to have them rest on the sole. They are incased in sheaths or pockets 1), so that they can be easily re moved, if desired.

A shoe provided with my improved braces will adapt itself to the flexions of the ankle-. joint, and will not get broken and drawn out of shape, like those of ordinary construction.

The shoe can be laced neatly and snugly, so that sand, gravel, or other substances will be prevented from getting into it while the wearer is bathing, and at the same time no inconven- 6o ience nor annoyance will be given by the braces.

The upper ends of the braces may be carried forward far enough to be in front of the anklebone when the shoe is on the foot; but it is not necessary to carry them thus.

When applied on bathing-shoes, and the latter are not in use, the braces will lie flat with the counters on the sole, so that the shoes may be packed into small compass and be carried in the pocket.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

A shoe provided with ribs or braces having their lower ends resting on or fixed to the sole in rear of the heel, and their upper ends extended forward alongside the counters to a point midway between the rear seam and the lacing-eyelets, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, on this 25th day of October, 1881.

HORACE GOGHRAN.

Witnesses:

ROBERT T. GRAVAT'I, C. M. NoRRIs. 

